[Bronchial endoprostheses (stents) in inoperable bronchial carcinoma]

Three patients suffering from bronchial carcinoma with severe bronchial obstruction have been successfully treated by implantation of metallic stents. Two of them suffered from peribronchial tumor growth while the third one complained about dyspnoea caused by the instability of the central airways. Stents were implanted into the left main bronchus or the intermediate bronchus either through a flexible bronchoscope under local anaesthesia and sedation or through a rigid bronchoscope under general anaesthesia. The successful dilatation of the stenosis could be demonstrated by bronchography. The patients tolerated the stents well. We found no dislocation, deformation or ulceration of the bronchial mucosa. The implantation of metallic stents thus seems to offer new possibilities for the palliative treatment of bronchial carcinoma.